How to Restart Your Wi-Fi Router

Is your show constantly buffering on Netflix? Maybe you're tired of seeing that dreaded "No internet connection" error when you're trying to work from habitation? Whatsoever the instance, we feel you.

Before you rage at your internet access provider (ISP), try restarting your wireless router to see if a refresh fixes your effect. Who knows, this unproblematic gear up could hateful you lot don't have to telephone call client back up. That's a win if we ever heard one.

Ready to give it a go? Allow'due south fix that internet and go yous back online, pronto!

How To Restart Your Wi-Fi Router

  1. Unplug your router and modem

A router sits on a desk with notebooks and a pencil

Heads Up

Be conscientious: Restarting is non the aforementioned as resetting your router

While restarting and resetting your router audio the same, they really mean two very different things.

Resetting your router will completely wipe any configurations you've saved and restore your router to its factory default settings. That means you'll take to set up your password, network name (SSID), and more all over again.

Restarting your router, which we're covering in this guide, lets your equipment flush out whatever issues stored in the retentiveness and cool off. All your configurations are yet saved after a restart.

1. Unplug your router and modem

First, you lot'll desire to unplug both your router and modem from the power outlet in the wall. Side by side, you'll want to unplug any connections between your modem and wireless router.

And so information technology's time to pace abroad. You want your router and modem to balance for a flake so the equipment's retention has time to refresh. This volition take about a minute or two—simply letting your equipment balance for longer won't hurt it.

Go make a loving cup of coffee, chat with a family member, or take your domestic dog out for a walk while you lot wait.

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2. Plug your modem dorsum into the wall

After yous've let your modem and router clear out their memory, you'll want to plug your modem into the wall commencement.

Nosotros repeat, plug your modem's ability string in showtime!

Don't plug your router in simply nonetheless, and don't hook up any other connections.

Now give your modem most a minute to power up. You'll see the lights on the front of it blink or plough on and off, and this is normal. In one case near or all of your modem'south lights steadily glow green, y'all're ready for the side by side footstep.

3. Plug your router back in

At present it's time for your router to start dissemination that Wi-Fi betoken. Then go ahead and plug it back into the wall and reconnect information technology to your modem.

Once you've plugged your router back in, requite it a minute to power support.

Once again, y'all'll probably see lots of flashing lights at start—this is notwithstanding normal as the router goes through the process of starting all of its processes back up again.

4. Update your firmware and apps

Once both your modem and router are powered support, it'due south fourth dimension to do your due diligence and update your firmware and any apps your equipment uses.

Why should you update the firmware? Well, firmware contains updates for your router and modem that proceed them running smoothly. These firmware updates might squash whatever performance bug and may even heave your internet speed.

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Download firmware only from official sites

You lot should never download anything from a site y'all don't know. Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to sneak malware onto your computer, and then exist sure y'all download firmware for your router and modem direct from the manufacturer'due south website just.

Recap: How do you restart your Wi-Fi router and set your internet?

Restarting your modem and router is as piece of cake as unplugging all your equipment, waiting a couple of minutes, then plugging in your modem and plugging in your router after your modem has powered dorsum upwards.

We also recommend updating your equipment'due south firmware and apps to make certain you lot have the latest technical consequence fixes and optimizations. Updated firmware can assist you get faster internet speeds, and who could say no to that?

At present that you know how to restart your router, check these out next.

Is it time for a new router? Here'south what to wait for.

Nosotros've got more like shooting fish in a barrel ways to speed up your net—without paying a dime.

FAQ

Do you still have questions about restarting your router? Nosotros can aid.

You should aim to restart your router at least one time a month. This gives it a chance to mend whatsoever issues, take a sabbatical, and ready certain net connection issues.

Too, if your internet is moseying along at a snail's pace, go alee and restart your router even if it hasn't been a month notwithstanding.

It'southward recommended that you check for router firmware updates every three to four years. Some router companies may also send an email or other alert if they take a disquisitional firmware update waiting for you.

If your router seems to be slowing downward your internet, it's worth checking to see if at that place's a firmware update on the official manufacturer'southward site.

Cyberspace company reps beloved to tell you to "ability bike" your modem, merely what the heck does that mean? Basically, power cycling your router and modem is unplugging your equipment from the wall, letting information technology residue for a few minutes, and then plugging everything dorsum in.

Power cycling, merely like restarting your router, should assistance your equipment refresh itself and clean up whatever errors in its internal memory that could crusade your internet to slow downward.

Catherine McNally

Written by

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She'southward been online since AOL CDs were a affair and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, non a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to assist everyone stay connected. You can too find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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